Lacrosee wins Gem State Tournament

The lacrosse team has continued to prevail in their fall ball season. In the team’s biggest rivalry game of the year, the Wolverines triumphed over Westminster with a final score of 8-7.

Midfielder Quinton Jorgensen scored the winning goal with 1:30 left in the game. Jorgensen would later suffer a broken hand with 30 seconds remaining.

The game was won with heavy aid from freshmen defenders Brandon Shields and Randy Butts. According to head coach Kevin Perkins, senior leader Kyle Barlocker anchored the defense and helped win the game.

On face-off this season are returning players Austin Neilson and Colton Hansen. UVU has successfully beaten Westminster in the last four of five games the teams have played.

Following the Westminster game, the team traveled to Boise to compete in the Gem State Tournament.

The team first played against Montana State, setting the tone for the tournament with a final score of 4-2. The team then played Boise State, dominating with a 17-5 victory followed by a 7-2 win against the University of Montana. They played Western Oregon as well, remaining undefeated with a score of 7-6.

“It was the only game we were behind in,” Perkins said. “The score was 4-2 at halftime so we made some adjustments and had a 5-2 run in the second half.”

The championship game was played against the Idaho Vandals. The 5-1 final score crowned UVU as tournament champion. It was the second time the Wolverines defeated the Vandals in the championship game, with both teams coming in undefeated.

Standout performance of the tournament included goalie Wesley LeFevre.

“He played outstanding,” Perkins said. “He had 10 saves in the championship, many of which were on the doorstep or one-on-one.”

Perkins made special mention of sophomore Chase Bradshaw, an up-and-coming attack man, and also Spencer “Spud” Moore as a solid defender who consistently improves with every game and practice.

The addition of Ryan Cantwell as assistant coach has been beneficial for the team this season.

“[Ryan] can relate to the players what he has learned as a four-year starter at Utah Valley and he knows the program,” said Perkins.

Perkins is pleased with what the team has accomplished so far this year.

“Fall ball is a good practice season to get freshmen up to speed in college ball and learn how to play UV ball,” Perkins said. “The team is really jelling, and winning a tournament on the road brought us even closer and has created a bond that every winning sports team needs.”